We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.

Stages:

Enrollment

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Transfers

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Completed

to follow someone and stay updated on their journey with GiveDirectly.

How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?

My life is really different from how it would have been if I had never received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I wasn't able to pay school fees which I did it comfortably after receiving the transfers, purchasing of livestock which we are now rearing in our home and also enhance the sufficient supply of foodstuff. All these would not be available without the transfer from GiveDirectly.

In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a very commendable job in all sectors. We had a lot of problems which by ourselves we could not have solved were it not for GiveDirectly. At the moment I have a lot of things which I never had before. Among them are, adequate foodstuff, newly constructed and comfortable house, complete payment of school fees for my sons and other household goods. The happy faces and the glittering iron sheets all over the village is a clear indication that everything GiveDIrectly did was well done. We really thank them for the great support and only wishing that they reach out to other villages which were left out.

What did you spend your second transfer on?

Receiving both the first and the second transfer from GiveDirectly brought a lot of changes in our household. It really changed our lifestyle by enabling us to obtain a lot of things which we never had before. I spent the second transfer on paying for the plot which took a total of 45000 KES, paid school fees worth 8000 KES and also purchased a sheep with the remaining amount.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

55000 KES ($549 USD)

access_time 7 months ago

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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I'm a proud owner of two cows which I have never owned. My wife died two years ago and I have never come to terms thus it affected my health. Since this transfer, I'm now able to get medication with ease since I can afford, I never used to access medication from the hospital because of lack of money and also because I don't have the energy to work for longer hours. The medicine is so expensive because the government hasn't subsidized yet. I'm now able to eat well and with better health.

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

That moment I received this transfer I was so happy. This was the greatest blessing I had ever received in my entire life. That day I went to the shopping center to withdraw immediately because I wanted to feel the touch of such an amount of money in my pocket.

What did you spend your first transfer on?

I spend my transfer on buying 2 cows, maize for home consumption and the rest I used on medication. I have high blood pressure and it needs a regular checkup with a lot of medication. I plan to sell milk from these two cows so that I get sustainable income to be able to afford these medications in the future. It's really expensive walking in and out of the hospital every month.

Enrolled

access_time 9 months ago

What does receiving this money mean to you?

Old age caught up with me really fast before building a better and a bigger house getting this transfers is going to help me build one,my daughter who is nurse already bought me building materials these transfers are therefore going towards payment of labour andother expenses.I am also diabetic and part of these transfers will go towards buying drugs and paying for my health expenses.

What is the happiest part of your day?

I start my day with a word of prayer and after breakfast I delegate responsibilities of taking cattle to the grazing lands to my grandchildren.In the evening is when they bring back the cows from the grazing lands,it is then that I am the happiest since the cows are well fed thus assurance of having milk.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

The demise of my wife 2 years ago is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.It came at a time when i needed her the most because I am diabetic and also old age,my body is weak and I am not as productive as I used to be,I even end up sleeping hungry because I am not able to do the house hold chores.The loneliness is also too much.